Arundo, a genus of three species, grows throughout the tropical and warm-temperate
regions of the world. Only one species has been introduced to the Western Hemisphere.

Arundo is similar to, but usually larger than, Phragmites, a much more common genus in North America. In addition, Arundo,
but not Phragmites, has a wedge-shaped, light to dark brown area at the
base of its blades.

Within the Flora region, Arundo donax grows in the southern half
of the contiguous United States, being found along ditches, culverts, and roadsides
where water accumulates. It has been used extensively as a windbreak, and planted
for erosion control on wet dunes. It is also grown for the ornamental value
of its tall, leafy culms and large panicles, but its tendency to spread is sometimes
a disadvantage. Cultivars with striped or unusually wide leaves, e.g., 'Variegata'
and 'Macrophylla', are of horticultural interest but do not merit taxonomic
recognition.

Arundo donax has been used for thousands of years in
making musical instruments, the stems being used for pipes and the tough inner
rind for reeds in a wide variety of woodwind instruments. It is one of the species
referred to as reed in the Bible. It is still used in many parts of the world
for house construction, lattice-work, mats, screens, stakes, walking sticks,
and fishing poles.